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Bail breaches leap 1,500% in a decade

Critics blame European convention as accused flout rules

More than 11,000 suspected criminals breached their bail conditions last year - a rise of 1,500% in 10 years.

Critics have blamed European human rights legislation for the massive rise in breaches, which are running at 30 a day, compared with just 700 in the whole of 1997. Most suspects committed further offences while on bail, contacted witnesses or failed to attend court.

Opposition politicians say the rise is evidence of a "soft-touch" justice system. Campaigners have also raised fears about the risk posed to the public by those criminal suspects on bail who commit serious offences while awaiting trial.

Bill Aitken, justice spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said the latest figures were unacceptable and called for a review of the law.

Under the European Convention on Human Rights, which has been incorporated into Scots law, anybody can apply for bail, regardless of the seriousness of the offence they have committed.